WHEN I'M NOT HERE, I'M THERE

Isla says hello.

I didn't really know how to follow my last post. I don't feel like talking about the whole cancer thing, but it seemed a bit crass to jump right back into my signature blend of inconsequential rants and random nonsense as if nothing had happened. "Hey, my mum's cancer has spread!" "Hey, check out my new skirt!" That is, in fact, how my brain is functioning at the moment - distraction is a wonderful thing - but there's no need to preserve that shameful fact in the archives of the internet for all time coming.

So, to help me avoid having to think of anything appropriate to say, why don't you say hello to my mum's new puppy? Her name is Isla and she is ADORBZ. She's a cross between a Westie and a Lhasa Apso (the breed that was victorious in Crufts this year, don't you know). Tomorrow Isla is meeting Smidgen for the first time, which could go either really well or reeeeeallly badly. (If anyone has any tips for the best way to make the introduction, by the way, please let me know.)

Lookatdatliddleface. This, my friends, is what hope looks like.

Or it's what insanity looks like. But I'm sticking with hope for now.

Have a great weekend, people. I'm sending bug hugs to all of you for being so damn lovely.

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Oh. I am thinking about your mom... hopefully the doctors we'll find a strategy that works? And mostly, I hope this is the less painful possible on your mom. Puppy Isla is super cute. Since she is a baby I think the meeting with Smidgen will go OK, they will first smell and be afraid of each other a bit and then come closer.

A park might be good so they can circle around eachother in a space that doesn't belong to either of them so there's no risk of Smidgen getting territorial or jealous. If they're coming round to yours, try taking Smidgen out for a walk before your mum + Isla arrive so that when she gets back there'a already a puppy there and she doesn't feel the need to defend the boundaries of her territory against incoming intruders. It tends to be the door/hallway/stairs where dogs get crazy... It'll be fine though, just make sure that Smidgen doesn't get confused and think she's a rabbit. Ours couldn't care less about other dogs normally but he is baffled by the really little ones.

Older dogs tend to be quite tolerant of pups, they'll have a snap sometimes but it's nothing malicious, just reminding the pup of their place in the pack. As Molly said, somewhere neutral to avoid territorial behaviour is a good place to do an introduction. Also, as difficult as it will be, try to avoid giving too much of your attention to the pup so Smidgen doesn't get jealous.

It'll be fine, it's older grumpier dogs (like mine!) that you need to worry about introducing.

Scamp is a Lhasa and I want a westie. Damnit, I think Isla is the answer. Cuuuuuutttttte.

Ps. Dog introductions? Just let them meet somewhere neutral the first time so neither gets territorial. Though Isla is probably not old enough to be territorial yet, but if Smidgen is familiar with your mums house then that's not a good meeting point. If in doubtm the park is a safe bet.

Dogs are, in general, excellent for all things that ail you -- physical or otherwise. I find Isla adorable, even though I think Lhasa Apsos are weird alien looking critters. This is a high vote of confidence!

My parents have two Lhasa Apsos and they are the cutest but naughtiest little rascals ever... so incredibly cute though... even when they get big they still look like teddys! Plus there is nothing like a bit of puppy love to make you feel hopeful